Malaysia, 2024

April 25-26, 2024

$1 = 4.7 Ringgit

Mosque in Klang

The cruise itinerary stated we would be in Kuala Lumpur on April 25. We docked in Port Klang – almost 2 hours away, and in port for only 8 hours. Since we’d been in Kuala Lumpur for over a week in 2023, we didn’t feel the need to go all the way into the city and decided to explore Klang, about 30 minutes from the port. The two main points of interest were the mosque, and a temple – one of the oldest Chinese temples in Malaysia (and we got 90 minute massages in the next town up – both of us for $40 including tip).

With little local currency (and no ATMs close by) – lunch was a very good and very cheap two filled bread rolls. I had a red bean (the bread was a little sweet) and a chicken curry (moderately spicy)- both very good (all four were 10 Malaysian ringgit – about $2.50).

Filled bread is a common lunch

The Kuan Yin Temple was built in 1892, and renovated about ten years ago. The temple and grounds are very lovely, but very limited parking.

Kuan Yin Temple with decorations for a festival out front
A beautiful decorative carving and inlay at the temple

We finished our time with a little shopping – I found a nice new blouse, with an interesting sign in the ladies’ changing room.

sign in Klang Mall changing room (and note it is in English)
New blouse (cost about $8)

The next day we docked in Penang – and one of the few times we were able to walk off the ship and into town.

Sunrise in Penang

Penang had been part of the British holdings in Malaysia, so many of the streets had English names as well as Malay. The streets seemed to have some kind of temple on every block, interspersed with some stores and street art – some of which have become iconic for the area.

Penang street art
Decorations on a temple
Now the Library
Street art celebrating the independence movement
With an older lady outside proclaiming “chicken rice!” a local staple – we decided to enjoy the local fare at this Michelin rated vendor (there was seating behind the cart in a building)
Our “passenger pigeon” picked up a friend

running behind – so will need to forego the history lesson today!

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